Langley, B.C. - The Calgary Roughnecks will battle the Colorado Mammoth on Saturday night in a National Lacrosse League exhibition game at the Langley Events Centre in Langley, B.C.

The game will serve as benchmark for coaches and managers on both squads in terms of evaluating talent as the decisions for opening day rosters are nearing.

The two teams split the series last season with each team coming out with a road victory. The Mammoth edged the Riggers last January in a tight battle that saw Gavin Prout tally the overtime winner. The 'Necks got their revenge the next time the teams met handing Colorado their most lopsided setback of the season with a 21-10 drubbing. Travis Cornwall collected 4 goals and Daryl Veltman contributed with 9 points.

The Roughnecks opened training camp last weekend and with few roster spots up for grabs it was evident that new head coach Curt Malawsky is making every player earn a position on the club.

“In the last three years we’ve been one and three in the playoffs and it doesn’t sit well. We lost one of our guys (Cory Conway) due to lack of productivity. This year we have 36 guys coming to camp and we drafted very well. We also have some free agents coming in so we expect it to be a battle and after four weeks guys are really going to know they’ve earned a spot on this team.”

With only four goals in the 2012 NLL campaign, Cory Conway became expendable and was inevitably dealt to the Edmonton Rush for a draft pick. This left a vacancy for a right-handed forward with a talented crop of young players vying for it including American born Joe Resetarits, 2012 BCJALL leading scorer Matthew Dinsdale and Jackson Decker, who suited up for the Burnaby Lakers this past summer.

PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR CALGARY

Joe Resetarits
Calgary made Resetarits their first round selection in the 2012 NLL entry draft. Although he was born and lives in the US, he has made his way across the border to hone his box game. He lead the Brampton Excelsiors in scoring in 2012 and looks to be ready for the pro game.

Aaron Pascas
He last played in the NLL for the Toronto Rock where he helped capture the Champion’s Cup in 2011. Pascas was also named to the NLL’s all-rookie team in his only NLL campaign. Being a left-handed forward, Pascas could gobble up a position with a solid camp.

Kaleb Toth
Entering his 13th NLL season, Toth is the franchise leader for the Roughnecks in almost every offensive category. Having only played 9 games last season, Toth is out to prove he belongs on the roster. He enters camp in the best shape he has been in for several years.

Shawn Evans
Evans is coming off of a solid 2012 NLL season where he tied his career high in both goals and assists. The pint-sized forward just helped Peterborough win a Mann Cup title and lead the MSL in playoff scoring. Evans has only missed three games in his six-season NLL career.

Curtis Dickson
In his only two NLL campaigns, Dickson hit the 30-goal plateau in both and is poised to amp his game up to the next level. Dickson can play any position on offence and with Evans and Ranger on the right side they could be the most lethal off the ball trio in the league.

Travis Cornwall
Cornwall tallied 10 goals in his rookie campaign playing transition with limited floor time. He should be in the offensive mix more this season as the Riggers will try to utilize his speed in the transition.